Governors Lead Effort to Secure Additional Border Law Enforcement Funding

In a letter sent today to the leaders of the House and Senate Appropriation Subcommittees on Homeland Security, New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson and the three other border governors requested that a provision in the FY2007 Homeland Security appropriations bill remain in the bill, now in conference committee. This provision would authorize an additional $50 million a year in federal funding to greatly assist local law enforcement in the border states. This provision was introduced by New Mexico Senators Jeff Bingaman and Pete Domenici as well as Texas Senators John Cornyn and Kay Bailey Hutchison. The letter is signed by Richardson, Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and Texas Governor Rick Perry.

The letter supports an effort to assist state, tribal and local law enforcement in the border states who are fighting illegal activity including the smuggling of drugs and humans from Mexico.

"Local law enforcement officials along the border are on the front lines of our fight against drug traffickers, human smugglers and cattle rustlers" said Richardson. "I am committed to doing whatever I can to help them win this battle."

Last August, Richardson declared a border emergency to help local law enforcement officials who are fighting illegal activity. This border emergency declaration freed up $1.75 million for border counties and local governments to hire approximately 10 additional law enforcement officers and purchase approximately 10 additional vehicles. These efforts have resulted in increased drug arrests, more undocumented immigrants caught and an approximately 80 percent reduction in crime in the border community of Columbus alone.